Propeller blade for log washers



March 17, 1942. e. E. KRIDER ,2

PROPELLER BLADE FOR LOG WASHERS 1 Filed Fe 13. 1940 Patented Mar. 17,1942 rrso STAT s r or ies 1 Claim.

The present invention relates to propeller blades, or paddles for logwashers used for agitating and washing clay and other earthen particlesfrom gravel, phosphate rock and similar materials.

The present blade is for use with my'improved log washer as illustratedin my co-pending application Serial No. 315,824, filed January 26, 1940.

The log washer is a well-known and reliable apparatus. Briefly themachine comprises an elongated, slightly inclined horizontal tank,having a pair of rotating members known as logs extending the fulllength of the tank and rotating in opposite directions. Attached anddistributed throughout the length of the logs are propeller blades whichmove the material along the tank toward the raised end and toward thematerial outlet. With respect to the top of the rotating logs, theyrotate in an outwardly direction, and with respect to the bottom of thelogs, they rotate in an inwardly direction. This inwardly rotatingmotion adjacent the bottom of the logs has a tendency to draw thematerial inwardly from the sides of the tank between the logs as thepropeller blades move the material along the tank.

The material to be washed is deposited in the lower end of the tank andis moved along the tank in the presence of water or other washing fluidstoward the discharge outlet.

In washing gravel and the like these materials are usually mixed withclay which forms in small balls and as such are diflicult to break upand will pass out with the material from which it has been originallyseparated.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide an improvedpropeller blade and agitator which will more readily break up the ballsof clay and more efficiently wash the materials.

Another object of the invention is to provide a more adequate anchoragefor propeller blades.

While several objects of the invention have been specifically pointedout, other objects will be perceivable from the specification when takenin connection with the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of thisapplication and in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view in elevation of one end of a log showingseveral tached thereto.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view in elevation of the opposite end of thelog.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view through the log on line 3-3 of Fig. l.

of the blades at- Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 ofFig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a view in side elevation of the improved blade and agitatingmember.

The invention therefore comprises a propeller bladeland a support 6,which isadapted to fit about one corner of a square log member 2.However, the support may be designed to take anypreferred shape in orderto conform with the cross-sectional shape of the log upon which it is tobe secured.

In practical use, it has been found that square logs have a great dealmore rigidity than either round, octagonal or other shapes. Therefore,the present support is only illustrated with this particular shape.

Referring more in detail to the blade 4 and its supporting element 6,the blade is first formed into its proper length and shape. The lowerend of the blade at the junction between the blade and support, ispreferably welded in a line which is perpendicular to the axis of thelog when the support is secured in position thereon. The blade extendsoutwardly from the support and is set at a predetermined angle relativeto the rotating axis of the log. A line passing through the greater axisof the blade intersects the junction of the blade and support atsubstantially the central point of the support. This constructionprovides a blade unit that may be used on either log. As the logs rotatein opposite directions, the angles of the blades on each of. the logsmust be set at opposite angles in order to move the material in the samedirection along the tank. In this respect the blades are adaptable foruse on either log.

The blade supporting member 6 is secured to the log by suitable bolts,or studs l2, which are receivable through the holes 8 of the support.The support may be secured to the log by any number of these bolts, orstuds, although only two are shown for illustration.

In the form of the invention as shown in Fig. 5, the support is providedat one end thereof with an outwardly extended member 6'. This member issomewhat shorter in length than the blade and is usually constructed asa part of the support 6, which is extended outwardly so as to be inradial relationship with the longitudinal axis of the log, although thismember may be located at any convenient point along the support where itwill best perform its designed function. This member is not usuallyutilized as a propelling implement, but is designed to pick up and carrythe small clay balls formed in the washing process over and under thelog for the purpose of smashing and disintegrating them, by crushingthem against other material, against each other. However, these members6', may be provided with a slight angle for aiding in propelling thematerial but the angle must not be so great as to defeat the primarypurpose of lifting and carrying the clay balls over the logs.

In operation of a log washer equipped with this latter type blade,including the member 6', for crushing the clay balls, the machine isoperated in substantially the same manner as described in my co-pendingapplication noted above. Thus logs may be equipped in Whole, or in part,with these blades, but particularly at the material receiving end of thetank. As al-- ready stated these small clay balls form and cling in thevicinity of the log. The member 6 acts as a scoop catching the balls andcarrying over and under the log, crushing them against other clay ballsor the gravel, or whatever they may come in contact with.

The advantages of a washer equipped with this scoop member are that bybreaking up the clay.

balls, the length of the tank may be decreased, or the capacity of thetank may be increased as the time required for the washing process isgreatly reduced.

The improvement is simple, economical to manufacture and sturdy in itsconstruction.

There are no working parts to wear out, or get out of order. The scoopsbeing a part of the blade and support unit may be obviously installedwithout any extra labor and very small cost.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in a specificform, it is not intended that the same be limited thereto. For instance,the blade and support may be cast in one piece if desirable. Theprojecting member 6' may be secured to the log independently of thesupport 6 and various other changes may be made without departing fromthe spirit of the invention.

I claim:

A propelling and agitating implement for rotating logs in log washingmachines comprising an angularly shaped support formed by divergingflanges adapted to engage diverging surfaces of the log, an elongatedagitating and propelling blade extending radially of the log and carriedby the flanges of the angularly shaped support and set at an angle tothe plane of rotation, means for fastening said support to the log, theouter end of one of the diverging flanges of the support terminating inan outwardly extending agitating member extending across the plane ofrotation of the blade and radially disposed in relation to the axis ofthe log.

GEORGE E. KRIDER.

